Pa. House nears vote on liquor privatization bill

By MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are close to voting to end the state's system of government-run liquor stores after holding ranks against Democratic opposition.

A senior House GOP aide said after the votes on amendments that a final vote in the chamber is expected to take place Thursday.

The key vote Wednesday was a Democratic-sponsored "gut-and-replace" bill that would have kept the current system largely in place but made a series of reforms, including longer Sunday hours at state liquor stores. That bill failed by a 17-vote margin.

The amendment votes Wednesday suggested the measure may have the support Republican leaders need to send the bill to the Senate.

Gov. Tom Corbett favors liquor privatization, and wants to devote the proceeds to fund public education.